The New York Jets have received a top grade for their draft from Pro Football Focus.
Most everyone is familiar with Pro Football Focus at this point. They are the website that goes into in-depth metrics for football, both in college and the pros. They are also among the many experts that grade each team’s performance in the NFL draft and they had many kind words to say about the New York Jets.
In fact, their words were so kind they ranked the Jets near the top of the league with their draft selections. The Jets, along with two other teams were given a rating of “elite” for their draft performance. How nice is that? When does anyone accuse the Jets of being elite?
Let’s take a look at what they had to say about day three:
"Christopher Herndon showed strong big-play ability last season, forcing nine missed tackles on only 40 receptions and averaging 9.3 yards after the catch per reception. Parry Nickerson could become a steal in the sixth round as he has three outstanding years of production to go with 4.32 speed. He allowed a passer rating of only 41.7 in 2017 and 32.5 when targeted in 2016. Folorunso Fatukasi is an outstanding run defender, grading between 82.8 and 86.1 in all four years at UConn, though he provided little as a pass-rusher, including a 3.1 pass-rush productivity last year that ranked 131st in the draft class."
If you read the entire review, the comment about Fatukasi and his lack of pass rush production is virtually the only negative that PFF had to say.
They had some especially good metrics on Sam Darnold. In a feature on him, despite the increase in interceptions, he still put up a passer rating of 108.1. Furthermore, if you take out week four through seven of his season, he would have been the third ranked quarterback in the nation.
We all know that this one was huge for Mike Maccagnan and company. Yes he and Todd Bowles received contract extensions, but all that really cleared them for was 2018. The discussion will be had about both of these two guys at the end of the season, just like it was at the end of the 2017 season. After two straight 5-11 seasons, their backs are against the wall despite anything Christopher Johnson says.
No matter how the mid to late round picks perform, it is going to come down to the play of Sam Darnold. We know that Bill Parcells is a big fan. Apparently so is PFF. If it all translates onto the field Mike Maccagnan will be just fine.